Goan Voice UK: Newsletter. Issue 2006-25. Jun. 22, 2006

Marriage proposal - in the sky
15 Jun: Wimbledon Post. Romantic Mervin Fernandes got his engagement off to a flying start by using an aeroplane to propose to his girlfriend. Mervin, 29, a BA pilot, of Lancaster Place, Wimbledon, arranged for a plane to fly down the runway at Biggin Hill Air Show trailing a banner with his marriage proposal on it. Trilby Burgess, 30, immediately said yes. Mervin had originally wanted the question spelt out in sky-writing but conditions would have been difficult to pull off. Click here.

Ruth DeSouza: Cultural diversity and context
16 Jun: Stuff (New Zealand) from NZ Lawyer Issue 42. The "browning of New Zealand" and the extent to which our society is becoming ethnically and culturally diverse were brought into sharp focus at the 5th Annual Child Law conference held in Auckland recently … Ruth DeSouza and others spoke of the significant challenges facing professionals in their efforts to effectively work with clients from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds to their own … Describing herself as a Tanzanian born Goan-Indian raised in East Africa, who has variously been mistaken for being Maori herself, DeSouza's own ethnic identity and background graphically demonstrates how easy it is to make incorrect assumptions as to a person's cultural identity or race. 1,512 words. Click here.

Melanie Carvalho: Dundee Contemporary Arts
16 Jun: 24 Hour Museum. The new exhibition at Dundee Contemporary Arts, running until August 13 2006, sees the gallery bring together the work of nine different artists … Another interesting series of works is by Melanie Carvalho … Carvalho went on a search for sub-tropical flora that flourishes in southern Scotland, due to the Gulf Stream. Gorgeous and vibrant flowers leap out from dark backgrounds while a projection of Carvalho’s films runs in the next room. Click here.
Melanie Carvalho was born in Zambia in 1969 but grew up in Bromley. Her father is from Goa, and her mother is English. For a sample of her work click here.

Dr Gavin D’Costa: Experts to study Buddhist beliefs
18 Jun: BBC News Online. Experts in Bristol have been awarded £400,000 for research into Buddhist rituals in Southeast Asia and China. The University of Bristol's Centre for Buddhist Studies has won the grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) … “We are delighted and excited by this substantial funding award from the AHRC," said Dr Gavin D'Costa, head of the university's department of theology and religious studies. Click here.
For photographs and a profile of Dr Gavin D’Costa (ex-Nairobi), click here.

20 Jun: Lagoa, Portugal. MARLENE FERNANDES (nee Figueiredo, ex Nairobi/DaresSalaam). Beloved wife of Albert (Bertie) Fernandes. She passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer. She was a long-serving member of the International School of Tanganyika, DaresSalaam. Condolences to Albert at albert.marlene@sapo.pt

20 Jun: California, USA, ETHEL FERNANDES. Mother of Edith Coutinho, Edwina Lobo and Alan Fernandes. Funeral Mass: 22 June at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew's Church, 1571 Southgate Ave, Daly City, CA 94015. Followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, 1600 Old Mission Road, Colma, CA 94014 [Info from George Pinto, Goan Voice USA]

18 Jun: Covale, Goa. ANNE ESPERANCA FERNANDES (ex-Nairobi). Wife of the late P.I.M. Manuel Fernandes. Beloved mother & grandmother of Angela/late Cany, Clinton (Mombasa), TonyJo/Zemira, Audrey, Bobby, Charmaine (London), Flora/Aires, Adeline, Carol, Christopher (Goa), Joseph(Leicester), Late Amas/Vera, Tricia, Glen (London), Victor (London), Vera/Romal, Patrick, Melinda(Canada), Roy (London), Sencia/Agnelo, Oliver, Meryl (London), Joaquim (Goa) and great-grandmother to Karen, Kieran, Daniel, Lisa, Clayton & Cyrus. Condolences to zemira@hotmail.com

18 Jun. Santa Cruz, Goa. Dr. J. MANUEL FERNANDES (ex-Zambia). Husband of Olinda. Father of Sherman & Ghislaine (U.S).

13 Jun: London & Tanga, Tanzania. Ms. ANNA GOMES (aged 51, she died in London while visiting family). Daughter of Late Menino & Victoria Gomes. Sister of Late Agnes D'Mello (Dodoma), Late Helena Gomes (Dar Es Salaam), Candy D'Souza (UK), Iggie Gomes (Arusha), Carmina Rathod (Tanga), Tony Gomes (UK), Eliza Conceicao (Canada), Dorothy D'Souza: (Dar Es Salaam), Agnelo & Domnic Gomes (Tanga). Condolences to nelsongomes50@hotmail.com or zulekha_naushad@yahoo.com
Funeral on Friday 23 June @ 10.30am. St Boniface R.C. Church, 185 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PG (nearest station: Tooting Broadway). Cremation @ 11.45am at Lambeth Crematorium, Blackshaw Road. We respectfully request no flowers but donations towards her medical expenses would be gratefully received. Please make cheques payable to Mrs Dorothy Gomes or donations can be handed over to a family member after the funeral service or posted to: 38 Tregarvon Road, London SW11 5QE

Stately pleasure domes
17 Jun: The Guardian. Tucked away at the end of a long sandy drive near Anjuna in north Goa, an antique door marks the entrance to Phil Dane and Juliet Leary's extraordinary creation. Yogamagic comprises seven Rajasthani hunting tents sitting among fruit trees, coconut palms and bougainvillea. A swimming pool is surrounded by water gardens, and a waterfall flows from a lotus flower on its own island. It's an oasis of peace in which I felt immediately at home … As I walked back to my tent, the roar of an Enfield in the distance reminded me of the other Goa nearby, the one of beaches and parties, restaurants and old Portuguese architecture, mountains and markets. At Morjim, there's a French restaurant called La Plage which could be in Cap d'Antibes. For photo and text, 604 words, click here.

Arnold D’Souza and Imre Gomes: Goa widens its appeal in Aussie push
21 Jun: e-Travel Blackboard. Goa, one of India’s most beautiful and tourist-friendly regions, is pressing for direct scheduled flights to make it more accessible to travellers from Australia. Wilfred de Souza, Goa’s Tourism Minister spoke last Monday night at a dinner function at the Hilton Sydney, hosted jointly specialist wholesaler Spice Trails … Arnold D’souza and Imre Gomes are the faces behind Spice Trails (jocularly known as “the Spice Boys”) … Spice Trails targets the English-speaking 18-35 youth market from Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere, as well as second and third-generation Indians living outside India. Photos and text, 556 words. Click here.
Arnold was born in Burma and moved back to Goa as an infant. Imre was born in Mumbai. Their website is at: http://acrtravel.com.au/

Foresight plans luxury cruises from Goa
21 Jun: The Economic Times. UK's $350m Foresight group, owned by London-based NRI Ravi Mehrotra, has got clearance from the Indian government to operate luxury cruises around the Lakshadweep Archipelago … the maiden cruise programme launches in October '06 with its luxury liner Ocean Odyssey from Goa. Initially European and American luxury tourists will be targeted … The 14-night cruises, which start and end in Goa, also have calls at Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Tuticorin and Colombo. Goa was chosen as the starting point because “Mumbai is too congested and doesn't provide the right ambience for luxury tourists.”

Goa plans short luxury cruises. By Pamela D’Mello
22 Jun: Asian Age. Goa’s tourism strategists plan to offer short-luxury cruises along the coast. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) announced its plans to purchase a 15-cabin luxury yacht for overnight cruises along the state’s 110-km-long coast and into neighbouring ports … the yacht is pegged at attracting high-end clients, reflecting the state’s slow move to shedding its budget-tourism tag for upper-segment holidays, said GTDC chairperson Fatima D’Sa. Click here.

Goans threatened by industrial toxic emissions
17 Jun: Hindustan Times. Industrial toxic emissions are posing a major threat to Goans. Zuari Industries Limited, is one such factory that is posing an ecological threat. Located about 25 km from Panjim on the Panjim-Vasco route, this company has been under the scanner of officials of the pollution department. Villagers in Velsao have complained that toxins released from the factories flow into the sea, which results in the death of marine life.

Chargesheet filed in priest murder
18 Jun: Herald. Exactly three months after the sensational killing of Macazana Parish Priest, Fr Eusebio Ferrao, the police on Saturday filed chargesheets against the two alleged killers from Uttar Pradesh — Amit Shukla (21) and Manish Dhubey (20). http://oheraldo.in/node/15341

Goa commercial sex workers up in arms
18 Jun: Times of India. The Commercial Sex Workers displaced by the demolition in Baina red light area in Vasco have demanded rehabilitation in place of compensation from the Goa government. Nearly 1,000 of them were affected due to the demolition. Click here.

Wild animals encroaching on India's new city settlements
18 Jun: Channel NewsAsia (Singapore) …A wild leopard wandered freely around a new housing colony of households in Goa. The colony is just one of many residential communities sprouting up on the fringes of a small but thick jungle [sic]. For residents there, the threat of encroachment by wild animals is ever present. Click here.

Celeb circuit ticks on substance abuse. By Devika Sequeira.
21 Jun: Deccan Herald. At India’s most happening party destination, a cocktail of cocaine, psychedelic drugs and alcohol is what keeps the celeb circuit ticking these days … The police, however, deny there is cocaine going around at Goa parties … “We all know that the elite of India come here only to party. And we’re fooling ourselves if we think they have no access to cocaine or any other drug,” says Dr Jawaharlal Henriques who treats substance addicts at his private nursing home in Anjuna. He lists cocaine, heroin and ketamine as the most popular party drugs around … A gram of cocaine costs between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 in Goa, depending on its purity, say officials. 474 words. Click here.

The other face of tourism in Goa
21 Jun: Navhind Times. …Many groups of Japanese students have already completed courses at Goa University and now German students would soon be arriving … A scholar from the Portuguese Catholic University had arrived to Goa for carrying out research on ‘Traditional Goan Stories’, while another one was a research scholar in photography. Yet another Portuguese scholar carried out his research in Goan Catholic Society (From 16th century to 21st century)’. Click here.

Goa Government all set to revive State lottery
21 Jun: The Hindu. The Goa Government is all set to revive its State lottery in this financial year after terminating it three years ago. 268 words. Click here.

Goa: GMC’s orthopaedic dept selected to conduct research on Indus knee
21 Jun: Navhind Times. In a rare distinction, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Goa Medical College, has been selected as one of the five centres from across India to conduct research and development of the indigenously-designed Indus knee. Due to its low cost, the Indus knee is expected to help large number of Indian patients requiring total knee replacement … the department has completed around 200 total joint replacement surgeries within a span of three years … the department has also been commended for its achievements in joint replacement surgeries specially Birmingham hip replacement. 365 words. Click here.

Hidden Abuses. By Anabel Loyd
22 Jun: The Telegraph. Excerpt: … I must admit that I have been shocked by many stories I have heard in the last few weeks but I was also shocked by a recent incident at a Goa society dinner. The assembled guests were treated to the triumphant description by a lawyer of the dismissal by the judge of a child abuse case he had just fought. The accused was also one of the guests and may indeed have been innocent but the impression was more that money and influence had won the day over poverty and the throwaway life of a child. Click here.

Cycle Ride For Children’s Charity
12 Jun: Nottingham Local News. Kevin Smith, a local businessman, along with three colleagues, is to undertake a cycle ride to raise money for Children Walking Tall charity … If you wish to support Kevin and his team in anyway visit their web-site enjoy-a-ball.com or call 07917 762616. To learn more about the Children Walking Tall charity visit childrenwalkingtall.com. 376 words. Click here.

Child labour - India's 'cheap commodity'
13 Jun: BBC. Report and check the links for a videoclip and the full ILO report. Click here.

NRI student probes sex trafficking
14 Jun: Times of India. Amidst reports of 'slave auctions' of women at British airports before initiating them into prostitution, an Indian origin student has embarked upon a study to investigate how society and culture influence the process of sex trafficking … Her study will highlight the striking parallel between traditional violence stemming out of culturally-condoned exploitation of women and that of sex trafficking, the modern day slavery. Click here.

India offers surgery in a hurry
17 Jun: Toronto Star. … About 200,000 foreigners went to India for medical and dental treatment last year … Richard Johnson has become something of an unofficial ambassador for India after his successful medical experience. "I really enjoyed India. I think the world of the Indians. I can't say enough good things about them … I want to go back to see Goa and get my teeth fixed or something," he says. 1901 words. Click here.

Is This Justice?
17 Jun: Correio da Manhã, (Portugal). The refusal of the Government to grant Portuguese nationality to a woman born in Goa who meets the requirements is cause for concern. She has been married to a Portuguese national for more than 3 years … she lived in Portugal and in Goa for 12 years each and has two children born in Portugal … For text, 501 words in Portuguese, click here. For a machine translation. Click here.

Toronto: Anne DeSouza: As good for the body as it is for the sole
17 Jun: Globe & Mail. The ancient art of reflexology can make more than your tootsies feel better … Anne DeSouza, the Indian-born reflexologist knows that soft, sweet-smelling feet are important to our overall sense of well-being … DeSouza claims that a full 45-minute reflexology session will detoxify and de-stress your organs … Anne DeSouza will be massaging feet for the next few weeks at Sabon, 2552 Yonge St., Toronto. To make an appointment, call 416-485-0303.
Anne DeSouza lived in Bangalore and trained in Dubai. 438 words. Click here.

Norman Rodrigues of Lausanne’s Laxmi restaurant
18 Jun: The Hindu. Lausanne, the birthplace of the modern Olympics, has a few other attractions as well … Laxmi restaurant is run by Norman Rodrigues, who has lived here for 30 years. "Laxmi is the only one of six Indian restaurants that has survived," beams Norman with his unfailing Goan charm. The place is full on a weekday too and quite popular. The menu is lavish and includes some Goan specialities like prawns Caldeen.

A very steep learning curve
19 Jun: Toronto Star. Immigrant teachers enrich a school So why are boards so slow to hire them? When Lal Singh Dhaliwal came to Canada last year, he already had more than 20 years of experience ranging from classroom teacher to school superintendent … Dufferin-Peel equity officer Chris D’Souza thinks the Brampton immigrant is a victim of what some teachers refer to as Ontario’s educational apartheid. Even though boards say they want to hire staff who reflect the growing diversity of their students, it’s simply not happening. No one seems to know exactly why despite growing evidence of the benefits. Click here.

India's female shortage leads to wife-renting
19 Jun: Toronto Star. Some husbands in western India are renting out their wives to other men, cashing in on a shortage of single women available for marriage. Click here.

Kiss causes storm in India
19 Jun: The Guardian (UK). It started with a peck on the cheek but has now snowballed into a national controversy that is seeing one of India's best-known pop stars facing a criminal investigation. Click here.

Gujarat: Jesuits call for withdrawal of manipulative, error-ridden books
20 Jun: Asia News (Italy). Prashant, the Jesuit centre for justice and peace, has called for the immediate withdrawal of textbooks published for final year students in Gujarat high schools because they are “full of mistakes, manipulations and factual inaccuracies” … The false propaganda could permanently condition their minds with regard to minorities like, for example, the Christians in Goa.” http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=6486

How Football helped Italians ‘arrive’ in Toronto
20 Jun: Toronto Star. Pal Di Iulio who was born in Italy and immigrated to Canada with his parents when he was 7 started the first Canadian soccer team that was composed of 12 Italians, two Croats, one Indian from Goa via England, and the coach … Click here.

Indian Church Leaders Respond to Anti-Christian Violence
20 Jun: LifeSiteNews (US). In some parts of India during the past few years there has been growing violence against Christians … In Goa this past March 18, a priest was murdered under circumstances that also appeared to be the work of Hindu extremists. 691 words. Click here.

'On-the-job training makes Indian doctors superior'
21 Jun: StarArticle.com (UK). A leading Indian cosmetic surgeon, Narendra Pandya, says he foresees a dramatic rise in medical tourism to India because of not just the low costs involved but a more humane approach towards patients. 'What we are seeing now (in medical tourism) is just the beginning. At the Apollo Victor hospital in Goa, where I do surgery, over 90 percent of the patients are British expatriates,' Pandya said … he had scheduled consultations with prospective patients in Boston, followed by similar consultations in London. 506 words. Click here.

Add as last item in In The News:
UK: FN Souza oil paintings at Cambridge auction 28-29 June
Cheffins of Clifton Road, Cambridge will be auctioning two Souza oils. For details click here.

Common Ground: Risk, Scarcity, and Shared Resources in Goan Agriculture
2006. Human Ecology. Article entitled Common Ground: Risk, Scarcity, and Shared Resources in Goan Agriculture. By Axelrod, P. and Fuerch, M. in Human Ecology, VOL 34; NUMBER 1. Pages: 79-98. ISSN: 0300-7839. For a summary, click here.

There has been an interesting discussion on the origins/development of unusual Konkani words. There seem to be so many words with so many nuances--some of which GV (UK) readers may find hard to believe.

Have readers ever wondered why foeticide is almost non-existent in Goa? Do read some interesting comments on this issue by Elizabeth Carvalho and also her views about pressure in some quarters for women to wear the Salwar Kameez.

An article submitted by Andrew but written by MV Kamath, he is stridently critical of the Pope. This relates to the Pope's criticism to the Indian Envoy in the Vatican that he (the Pope) had been seeing "disturbing signs of religious intolerance" in India. Kamath roundly criticises the Pope in these terms " There is nothing reprehensible and unconstitutional in passing laws banning conversion; for years, India has been too liberal and allowed conversion to be carried out. Conversion is not about human rights. It is an assault on the dignity and self-respect of an ancient civilisation that cannot be tolerated." Without a doubt, this matter will be ratcheted further and we will see angry exchanges. GV(UK) readers are encouraged to present their views to Goanet.

Wikipedia is the online encyclopaedia that anyone can edit. Wikipedia's come-one come-all invitation to write and edit articles, and the surprisingly successful results, have captured the public imagination. Now, there is an interesting debate on Goanet on this development.

Finally, do follow a long article by Godfrey Gonsalves on fake medical doctors in Goa. There is much room for thought on this issue and advice is provided on the best ways to avoid them.

More details can be found at the Goanet archives at http://www.goanet.org Or to subscribe to Goanet, send an email to subscribe@goanet.org

24/6 REALITY SHOW: Wife Swap. Channel 4. 16:30 to 17:30.
Two inter-racial couples swap lives, question racial stereotypes and re-examine the role of the man in their house.

25/6 COOKERY: Coconut Coast. UKTV Food Plus 1. 07:00 to 07:30.
Reza Mahammad visits the largest and oldest cinnamon plantation in Kerala and cooks a dizzying selection of desserts for the very sweet-toothed Indian community: coconut creme caramel, stuffed bananas and a sensational pepper ice cream.

26/6 DOCUMENTARY: Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld. UKTV G2. 18:30 to 19:00.
India. Jeremy Clarkson investigates the motoring culture of India, one of the most dangerous places on earth to drive and a country where a driving test may only cover a distance of 200 yards! [Repeat]

28/6 COOKERY: Taste. Sky Three. 14:00 to 15:00.
On Today's Menu: grilled sardines, pork belly with chilli and panacotta with saffron syrup. Plus, Indian cookbooks reviewed.

28/6 DOCUMENTARY: Slumming It. BBC World Service Radio. 15:05 to 15:30.
Emma Josephs visits slums in India and the US to explore the day to day reality of living in a slum.

29/6 DOCUMENTARY: Tourist Police. Sky Travel. 21:00 to 21:30
Goa. Two Brits set out to find an illegal rave on Goa's beaches, but the police chief is hot on their trail. Also, local officers try to force sunbathing girls to put their tops back on. [Repeat]

30/6 DOCUMENTARY. Model Gardens. UK Bright Ideas. 06:30 to 07:00
Indian Garden. Uma is so ashamed of her untidy backyard that for years she has shut the blinds and ignored it. Sven incorporates an understated ethnic theme which suits Uma's love of travel and Indian family background.

Sun 25 Jun. Benaulim Association (London) celebrates the feast of St. John the Baptist at Earlham Primary School, Earlham Grove, Wood Green London N22, (off the Green Lanes) commences with Holy Mass at 12.30 followed by dancing to the music of Maz & Co. Members £8.00; Non-members £9.00; Children (10– 16) £ 4.00. under 10s FREE. Members £8.00; Non-members £9.00; Children (10– 16) £ 4.00. under 10s FREE. For tickets and further information please contact Felipe on 0208 368 9663, Mary 0208 803 9752 and Josephine 0208 967 7471

Sat. 1 Jul. G.O.A. Ruby Golf Open 2006 – Golf Tournament at Traditions Golf Club, Pyrford Road, Woking, Surrey. First tee off at 12 noon. Further details from: Jacinto D'Silva 020 - 8723 1233, Menino Mascarenhas 01784 211832

Sun. 2 Jul. 30th Anniversary. Aldona Association (UK) celebrates the feast of St Thomas at Haringey Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, N17. Mass at 1.00pm. Music by Maz & Co. Fun for all: mandos, games for kids. Members £10.00; Non-members £12.00; Children (5 – 12) £ 5.00. Alfred Louzado 020 8737 7786; Kelvin Fernandes 020 8931 2943; Caroline Fernandes 020 8952 0435

Sat. 15 Jul. G.O.A. Ruby Summer Bash for 13 to 17 year olds. 7 pm to 11pm at ATC Hall, South Wimbledon. Disco – Say One Do One. Contact: Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 - 8771 4457, Alison Braganza 07799 586793, Rosy De Souza 020 - 8677 0390 or any member of the Social Committee.

Sat. 15 Jul. 3.30 P.M. Archbishop Lanfranc High School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Konkani Dramatic Association proudly presents Tiatr "TUMCHEA MOGA PASSOT" Written and Directed by the King of Tiatr, Rose Ferns. Producer Xavier Soares de Swindon. First European tour, with artistes from Goa. For tickets please telephone Judy on 0208 7632606 or 07949403741, Nina Pinto 0208 7670663 or Cornelius Monteiro 0208 6818716.

Sun. 23 Jul. G.O.A. Goan Festival in conjunction with Goan Organisations at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Starts with Holy Mass at 12.15 pm. Contact: Diego Pinto 020 – 8767 0663 Alfred Rebello 020 – 8337 8022. For stall applications: Bernie Gracias 020 – 8723 1322

30 Jul. Tivimnenses Association. Annual Social. Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Commencing with Holy Mass at 12:30pm. Dancing to Maz & Co. Details from Norma Menezes-Rahim 020 8771 4457, Ingrid De Souza 020 8005 3872, Savio Pereira, Helen D’Souza 020 8304 5585, Elu Pires 020 8654, Ronald Fernandes 020 8303 3386, Roland DeSouza 020 7485 7878. Email tivimtickets@hotmail.com